Alden Carrow reads Mist and Myth in the Landscape: Exploring Keats, Cornish Lore in Boscastle, and Authentic Facebook Marketing for Poets

In this episode of the podcast, host Alden Carrow—author of Cornwall In Verse – Tide To Tor In Poetry — explores the thin lines between the known world and the realm of myth. This show focuses on slowing down to discover the poetry living in both the extraordinary and the everyday. Stepping Into the Mist: John Keats The journey begins with a guest poem from the Romantic era: John Keats’ "La Belle Dame sans Merci," written in 1819. Alden analyzes this quintessential ballad of magical encounter and the haunting "cold hill side" that remains once the magic fades. The discussion delves into: Landscape as a Mirror: How Keats uses a "landscape of ending"—where no birds sing and the sedge is withered—to reflect a purgatorial state of mind. The Food of the Fae: The significance of the "wild honey" and "manna-dew" offered by the faery's child, which binds the knight to a different reality. Ambiguity and Perspective: Questioning whether the knight was a victim of a malicious enchantress or his own projected desires. The Soul of Boscastle Moving from the imagination to the tangible, Alden shares his own poem, "Boscastle". Inspired by the north coast of Cornwall, the poem captures a village defined by: Mystical History: The influence of the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic and the lush Valency Valley. Raw Power: The memory of the devastating 2004 flash flood and the "roaring might" of the water. Resilience: The "quiet grace" of a community that rebuilt and bloomed again where torrents once ran. Marketing for the Modern Poet In the discussion segment, Alden addresses the struggle many writers feel when using digital platforms like Facebook for book promotion. He reframes marketing not as shouting, but as "lighting a small fire in the town square". Tips include: Sharing the Landscape: Using powerful visuals of the places that inspire poems to stop the scroll. The Story Behind the Poem: Pulling back the curtain to share the personal experiences behind the writing. Finding Your Tribe: Joining Facebook groups based on themes like folklore or coastal walking rather than just writer-promotion groups. Authenticity and Consistency: Using "soft sells," regular updates, and the power of video to let readers hear the poet's voice. Join the Journey Listeners are invited to suggest future guest poems—whether classics, modern pieces, or personal favourites—by emailing [email protected].